Oregon football to learn its fate from NCAA today

EUGENE — The Oregon Ducks are about to hear the NCAA's decision on possible recruiting violations.

The Associated Press

EUGENE — The Oregon Ducks are about to hear the NCAA's decision on possible recruiting violations.

The NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions will release a public report on the findings of its investigation and any possible sanctions against Oregon's football program this morning.

The NCAA has been looking into payments Oregon made to recruiting services, including $25,000 to Willie Lyles and Houston-based Complete Scouting Services in 2011. Lyles had a connection with an Oregon recruit.

In April, Oregon released documents acknowledging at least one major NCAA violation in connection with recruiting. It also proposed a self-imposed two-year probation with the loss of one scholarship in each of the next three years.

While acknowledging violations from 2008-11, Oregon's report did not find any unethical conduct or lack of institutional control, typically one of the most severe charges the NCAA can bring after an investigation of rules violations.

The case headed to the infractions committee after Oregon and the NCAA failed to reach an agreement on the matter.

Former Ducks coach Chip Kelly was reportedly among those who appeared before the infractions committee in April.

Mark Helfrich, the Ducks' former offensive coordinator, took over as head coach following the departure of Kelly, who went to the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelly was head coach at Oregon for the past four seasons, leading the Ducks to a 46-7 record with appearances in four straight BCS bowl games — including a bid for the national championship against Auburn in 2011.

The Ducks finished 12-1 last season, capped by a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Oregon was previously penalized by the NCAA in 2004 for a major violation involving the improper recruitment of a junior college player by an assistant coach. The university was put on probation for two years and the unidentified assistant coach was suspended without pay for a week and restricted from some recruiting activities.

The Ducks remained eligible for postseason play and did not lose any scholarships because of that violation, which occurred in 2003. The case was resolved without a formal hearing after the NCAA's governing body agreed with the university's proposed penalties.